Majors, Minors, and Certificate Programs
This section outlines the specific requirements for every program in the College of Arts and Sciences that begin with the letters N through R.
PHIL 310 Hist. of Western Phil.: Ancient 5 PHIL 312 Hist. of Western Phil.:Modern 5 PHIL 320 Symbolic Logic I 5 PHIL 490 Senior Seminar 3
At least three courses numbered above 400, not including 490 and 497.
Senior seminar during your final year of study
You may begin your study of philosophy with courses at the 100, 200, or 300 level except as limited by specific prerequisites.
For more information, contact the Department of Philosophy.
It is advisable to major in philosophy, English, or one of the social sciences. Check the entrance requirements of the theological seminaries, other religious educational institutions, or graduate schools of your choice and plan your curriculum accordingly. A pretheology major is also available from the Departments of English and History.
To be eligible for admission to an accredited professional school of physical therapy, you must first complete the baccalaureate-level preprofessional preparatory coursework and then apply on a competitive basis to a professional school of physical therapy. If you are accepted, the professional program extends for an additional two to three years, culminating in a degree in physical therapy from the professional program. The optional plans of study available will prepare you to be highly qualified for admission to most schools of physical therapy. However, some professional programs require special prerequisites-either courses or practical experience as a volunteer-before you apply for admission. It is your responsibility to check the admission requirements for programs you wish to attend and, in consultation with your academic advisor, to fulfill any special prerequisites.
The three-year master's program in the School of Physical Therapy admits students on a competitive basis. It is possible to be admitted into the program after completion of your junior year, provided you will be able to complete your bachelor's degree in absentia by the end of your first year in physical therapy. (This requires that in year one of the program you must complete a limited number of unfinished undergraduate courses concurrently with your physical therapy coursework.) You may also apply during your senior year so that, if accepted, you enter the professional program in the School of Physical Therapy with your undergraduate degree in pre-physical therapy already completed.
If you intend to apply to other professional programs in Ohio or outside the state (or even if you are unsure of plans for further training), you should complete your undergraduate degree in biological sciences/pre-physical therapy or psychology/pre-physical therapy first, as preparation for the future. Most physical therapy programs are offered at the graduate level only. In fact, after the year 2002, undergraduate professional physical therapy will no longer be accredited in Ohio. Note: depending upon the career opportunities you ultimately pursue, you may decide to graduate with a standard B.S. in biological sciences or B.A. in psychology. This can be done with the addition of a few more courses in Arts and Sciences beyond those required for the pre-physical therapy track. The foreign language requirement must also be completed.
For additional information, see Biological Sciences or Psychology Pre-Physical Therapy majors in this section, the in absentia degree option in the University-Wide Graduation Requirements section, and "Physical Therapy" in the College of Health and Human Services section.
Selected students may enroll in the physics tutorial program through the Honors Tutorial College. In this program, you have the option of taking engineering physics, for which a curriculum is listed in the Honors Tutorial College section.
Contact the chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy if you are interested in pursuing any of the programs described below.
PHYS 210 Physics Seminar 1 PHYS 251, 252, 253 General Physics 15 PHYS 272, 273 Electronics Lab 4 PHYS 311, 312 Mechanics 8 PHYS 351, 352 Mod. and Quantum Physics 8 PHYS 371, 372, 373 Intermediate Labs 6 PHYS 411 Thermodynamics 4 PHYS 427, 428 Electricity and Magnetism 8
The following mathematics courses
MATH 263A, B, C, D Calculus 16 MATH 340 Differential Equations 4 MATH 440 Vector Analysis 4 MATH 441 Fourier Anal. and Partial Differential Equations 4
12 quarter hours of natural sciences other than physics and mathematics (you may use elective courses in astronomy above the 200 level to satisfy portions of this 12-hour requirement)
The minimum requirement for the B.A. degree with a major in physics is 36 quarter hours, including
PHYS 210 Physics Seminar 1 PHYS 251, 252, 253 General Physics 15 PHYS 351, 352 Mod. and Quantum Physics 8
This degree is recommended if you want a general education with an emphasis on physics; have plans for further education or employment in an interdisciplinary area; or desire a dual major in physics and chemistry, biological sciences, geological sciences, etc.
You can meet the requirements for teaching high school physics by completing the physics major program listed in the College of Education section.
The astronomy minor consists of a set of required courses-PHYS 251 and 252, PHYS 253 or EE 321, PHYS 351 or 254, and ASTR 305-and at least 12 hours from ASTR 310, 401, 402, 403, 410, and 450.
MATH 263A, B, C Calculus 2
PHYS 210 Physics Seminar 1
PHYS 251, 252 General Physics 10
CHEM 151, 152 Fund. of Chemistry 10
English composition 5
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
MATH 263D Calculus 4 MATH 340 Differential Equations 4 MATH 440 Vector Analysis 4 MATH 441 Fourier Analysis and Partial Diff. Equations 4 PHYS 253 General Physics 5 PHYS 272, 273 Electronics Lab 4 PHYS 303* Digital Computing Methods 4 PHYS 351, 352 Mod. and Quantum Physics 8 PHYS 423* Optics 4
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
MATH 410* Matrix Theory 4
MATH 470* Applied Complex Variables 4
PHYS 311, 312 Mechanics 8
PHYS 371, 372, 373 Intermediate Labs 6
PHYS 420* Acoustics (odd years) 3
PHYS 453* Nuclear and Particle Phys. 4
English composition 4
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
PHYS 411 Thermodynamics 4 PHYS 412* Kinetic Theory and Statistical Mechanics 4 PHYS 420* Acoustics (odd years) 3 PHYS 427, 428, 429* Elec. and Magnetism 11 PHYS 475* Adv. Lab (three quarters) 3-9 PHYS 451 Quantum Mechanics 4 PHYS 471* Solid State Physics 4 PHYS 493* Undergraduate Seminar 1
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
*Recommended
The sequence of courses will vary depending on your interests. Basic requirements in natural sciences, physics, and mathematics will be equivalent to those of the regular B.S. in physics but may be set in engineering or other applied science courses. The elected sequence of interest could be toward a specific area of interest within an engineering college, e.g Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc. or over a broad area of interest e.g. materials science, which comes from several colleges.
The advantage of preparing for applied science through the fundamental physics program is the acquisition of the abilities for continued development of the technology from fundamental physics principles.
English composition 5
MATH 263A, B, C Calculus 12
PHYS 210 Physics Seminar 1
PHYS 251, 252 General Physics 10
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
MATH 263D Calculus 4 MATH 340 Differential Equations 4 MATH 410* Matrix Theory 4 CS 220* Intro to Computing 5 PHYS 253 General Physics 5 PHYS 351, 352 Mod. and Quantum Physics 8
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
English composition 4
MATH 440 Vector Analysis 4
MATH 441 Fourier Analysis and Partial Diff. Equations 4
ASTR 305 Fund. of Astrophysics 3
ASTR 401 Stellar Astrophysics 3
ASTR 402 Galactic and Interstellar Astrophysics 3
PHYS 311, 312 Mechanics 8
PHYS 371, 372, 373 Intermediate Lab 6
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.***
Tier III 4
ASTR 403 Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology 3
ASTR 410** Observ. Astrophysics 3
ASTR 301** Astronomy Lab 1-3
ASTR 450** Studies in Astronomy 1-3
PHYS 411 Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 412* Kinetic Theory and Stat. Mechanics 4
PHYS 427, 428 Elec. and Magnetism 8
PHYS 429* Electromag. and Relativity 3
PHYS 451* Quantum Mechanics 4
Arts and Sciences degree requirements (including language), university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.***
If you are in the Honors Tutorial Program, special combinations of some of the above courses are available. Consult with the pre-astronomy advisor.
* Strongly recommended.
** A total of at least six hours in combined coursework from ASTR 310, 410, and 450 is required.
*** Beneficial PHYS electives include 303 Computing Methods in Physics, 423 Optics, and 453 Nuclear and Particle Physics.
CHEM 151 Fund. of Chemistry 5
CHEM 152 Fund. of Chemistry 5
GEOG 101 Elements of Physical Geog. 5
GEOL 101 Intro to Geology 5
MATH 263A 263B, 263C (or adv plcemt), Analytic Geom.and Calc. 12
English composition 5
PHYS 210 Physics Seminar 1
GEOG 201 Environmental Geography 4 GEOL 211 Oceanography 4
MATH 263D Analytic Geom. and Calc. 4 MATH 340 Differential Equations 4 MATH 440 Vector Analysis 4 MATH 441 Fourier Series and Partial Diff. Equations 4 PHYS 251, 252, 253 General Physics 15
GEOG 302 Meteorology 5
GEOG 303 Climatology 5
GEOG 304 Observations in Meteorology 2
PHYS 311, 312 Mechanics 8
English composition 4
GEOG 405 Pract. in Meteorological Forecasting 2-10 PHYS 411 Thermodynamics 4
Physics emphasis requirements
CE 340 Fluid Mechanics 5
PHYS 272, 273 Electronic Lab 4
PHYS 316 Contemporary Physics 3
PHYS 412 Kinetic Theory and Statistical Mechanics 4
or PHYS 423 Optics
Arts and Sciences degree requirements, university General Education Requirements, and/or electives.
To receive a certificate in political communication, you must complete POCO 201 Introduction to Political Communication and POCO 401 Seminar in Political Communication, as well as 22 quarter hours from the courses listed below. No more than two courses from any one department can be counted toward the certificate.
A Political Communication Certificate is awarded upon completion of the requirements and graduation from the university. Notation of the award is recorded on your transcript. Consult the director of the Center for Political Communication before the deadline for graduation to ensure that the certificate will be awarded.
Required Courses
POCO 201 Intro to Political Comm. 3 POCO 401 Seminar in Political Comm. 5
Courses in the Curriculum
ECON 316 Economics and the Law 4 ECON 430 Public Finance 4 INCO 250 Intro to Rhetorical Theory 4 INCO 300 Field Research Methods in Communication 4 INCO 342 Comm. and Persuasion 4 INCO 352 Political Rhetoric 4 INCO 430 Com. and the Campaign 5 INCO 442 Resp. and Freedom of Speech 4 JOUR 233 Information Gathering 3 JOUR 370 Media Relations and Publicity 4 JOUR 411 Communication Law 4 JOUR 412 Mass Media and Society 3 JOUR 464 Public Affairs Reporting 3 JOUR 471 Public Relations Reporting 5 LING 280 Language in America 5 LING 420S Linguistics and Semiotics 4 PHIL 240 Social and Political Philosophy 4 PHIL 442 Philosophy of Law 5 POLS 250 International Relations 5 POLS 304 State Politics 300-400 4 POLS 405 American Political Parties 4 POLS 406 Elections and Campaigns 4 POLS 410 Public Policy Analysis 4 POLS 415 The American Presidency 4 POLS 417 Legislative Processes 5 POLS 418 Interest Groups 4 POLS 420 Women, Law, and Politics 4 POLS 424 Intergovernmental Politics 4 POLS 476A American Political Thought 4 POLS 476B American Political Thought 4 POLS 481 Modern Political Analysis 4 POLS 490B Studies in Amer. Pub. Opinion 4 PSY 304 Human Learning and Cognitive Processes 4 PSY 336 Social Psychology 4 SOC 412 Public Opinion Processes 4 SOC 413 Mass Communication 4 SOC 414 Contemporary Social Movements 4 SOC 432 Political Sociology 4 SOC 465 Social Change 4 TCOM 370 Mass Communication Theories 4 TCOM 371 Effects of Mass Communication 4 TCOM 453 Law and Regulation 4 TCOM 475 Politics and the Electronic Media 4
The major requirement is a minimum of 52 hours including
POLS 101 Amer. Natl. Government 4 POLS 150 Current World Problems 4 POLS 270 Political Theory 4
Two additional 200-level courses
At least four 300- and 400-level courses in one of the following tracks:
All majors are encouraged to take additional courses designed to develop skills, including POLS 305J, 390, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, and 495.
You must meet general requirements for the B.A. and those for a major in political science. Be careful to meet the prerequisites for all courses. You are encouraged to gain as broad an understanding of politics as political science majors, since politics is a crucial element in public administration.
For further information and advice, consult the public administration advisor in the Department of Political Science.
Required courses
ECON 103 Microeconomics 4 ECON 104 Macroeconomics 4 CS 120 Computer Literacy 4 PSY 221 Elem. Stat. for Beh. Sciences 5
or QBA 201 Intro to Business Statistics or 4
or POLS 482 Quant. Political Analysis or 5 POLS 102 Issues in American Politics 4 POLS 210 Public Administration 4 POLS 310 American Domestic Policy 4 POLS 304 State Politics 4
or POLS 320 Urban Politics
Any five of the following:
POLS 407 Politics of Urban Dev. 4 POLS 408 Urban Public Admin. 4 POLS 410 Public Policy Analysis 4 POLS 412 Public Personnel Admin. 4 POLS 413 Administrative Law 4 POLS 414 Org. Theory and Politics 4 POLS 424 Intergovernmental Relations in the U.S. 4 POLS 425 Environ. and Natural Res. Politics and Policy 4 POLS 429 Comparative Public Admin. 4 POLS 484 Mgt. Skills for Public Admin. 5 POLS 486 Public Budgeting 4 POLS 487 Financial Mgt. in Govt. 4 POLS 488 Public Dispute Resolution 4
Select additional courses in political science to satisfy the requirement for a political science major. The major consists of a total of at least 52 hours in political science, including POLS 101, 150, and 270.
Recommended electives
ACCT 201 Financial Accounting 4
ACCT 202 Managerial Accounting 4
ECON 425 Public Policy Economics 4
ECON 430 Public Finance 4
FIN 325 Managerial Finance 4
GEOG 201 Environmental Geography 4
GEOG 326 Urban Geography 4
GEOG 350 Land Use Planning 4
POLS 409 Criminal Procedure 4
POLS 495 Internship 4
SOC 430 Soc. of Organizations 4
PSY 101 General Psychology 5 PSY 221 Stat. for Beh. Sciences 5 PSY 226 Experimental Psychology 4
Biological-at least one of the following:
PSY 201 Sensation and Perception 4 PSY 203 Learning 4 PSY 312 Physiol. Psychology 4 PSY 314 Comp. Psychology 5 PSY 327 Human Psychophysiol. 4 PSY 490* Seminars 3-5
Cognitive-at least one of the following:
PSY 304 Human Learning and Cognitive Processes 4 PSY 305 Human Memory 4 PSY 307 Psycholinguistics 4 PSY 308 Human Judgment and Decision Making 4 PSY 490* Seminars 3-5
Developmental-at least two of the following:
PSY 273 Child and Adoles. Psych. 4 PSY 275 Educ. Psychology 4 PSY 315 Behavior Genetics and Individual Differences 5 PSY 374 Psych. of Adulthood and Aging 4 PSY 376 Psychological Disorders of Childhood 4 PSY 378 Psychology of Gender 4 PSY 470 Prenatal Influences on Development 4 PSY 490* Seminars 3-5
Clinical-at least two of the following:
PSY 233 Psych. of Personality 4 PSY 332 Abnormal Psychology 4 PSY 341 Tests and Measurements 4 PSY 351 Intro to Clinical and Counseling Psychology 4 PSY 380 Psych. of Health and Illness 4 PSY 430 Psychoactive Drugs 4 PSY 490* Seminars 3-5
Social-Organizational-at least two of the following:
PSY 261 Industr. and Org. Psych. 4 PSY 336 Social Psychology 4 PSY 337 Social Psych. of Justice 4 PSY 361 Adv. Org. Psychology 4 PSY 362 Personnel Psych. 4 PSY 490* Seminars 3-5
At least four courses at the 300 level or above(if you plan to attend graduate school in psychology, you should include PSY 233, 273, 312, 304, 321, 332, 336, and 418.)
A three-course sequence in one of seven natural science areas as outlined below. These courses were chosen to provide a basic foundation in at least one science area, while allowing flexibility in the choice of area. All of these courses also count as natural sciences options for Arts and Sciences area requirements.
Biological Sciences: BIOS 170, 171, and any BIOS or MICR course at the 200 level or above
or
BIOL 101, BIOS 103, and any BIOS or MICR course at the 200 level or above
or
BIOS 103 and any two BIOS or MICR courses at the 200 level or above
Chemistry: 121, 122, and 123 or 151, 152, and 153.
Environmental and Plant Biology: 101, and either 220, 225, 247, or 248, and any 300- level course or 110, 111, and any 300-level course.
Geography: 101, 302, and 303.
Geology: 101, 211, and 215, or 221.
Physics: 201, 202, and 203.
Either two math or two computer science coursesmust be completed from the list below. These courses were chosen to ensure that you have at least a basic literacy in math or computer science. Both the math and computer science courses allow you to choose from a wide range of levels. Three of the courses (MATH 113, 115, and CS 220) do not count as natural sciences options for Arts and Sciences area requirements.
Math: 113, 115, 150, 163A, 163B, 211, 263A, 263B, 263C, or 263D. See the Courses of Instruction section for math prerequisites and sequence restrictions (e.g., no credit for MATH 250 if you have taken PSY 221).
Computer Science: Any course numbered 200 or above.
For qualified students, the department offers a departmental honors program. A detailed description is available from the department; apply to the assistant chair for undergraduate affairs.
Requirements for all psychology programs are structured to provide you with exposure to several areas of psychology, while providing latitude in selecting courses to fit your needs and interests. Consult your academic advisor early in your program to plan appropriate course selections, particularly if you are considering graduate work in psychology.
At the graduate level, the department offers doctoral programs in clinical, experimental, and industrial-organizational psychology and a master's program in experimental psychology. Information about the graduate programs is available from the assistant chair for graduate affairs.
*490 seminars that apply to these area requirements are approved by the assistant chair for undergraduate affairs when the seminar is offered. Some 490s do not apply to any area.
Note: All students are required to obtain experience with the methodology of psychological research through participation in psychology experiments or through the completion of an equivalent option. According to ethical guidelines, you may withdraw, without penalty, at any time from an experiment in which you are participating.
A Biological: 201, 203, 312, 314, 327, 490* B Cognitive: 304, 305, 307, 308, 490* C Developmental: 273, 275, 315, 374, 376, 378, 470, 490* D Clinical: 233, 332, 341, 351, 380, 430, 490* E Social-Organizational: 261, 310, 335, 336, 337, 361, 362, 490*
*490 seminars that apply to these area requirements are approved by the assistant chair for undergraduate affairs when the seminar is offered. Some 490s do not apply to any area.
The following program will not prepare you to complete a degree in biological sciences. If you are not accepted into the physical therapy program but desire to pursue a career in medicine or certain allied health fields, you should consider a major from the programs offered in biological sciences and chemistry, or from those offered through the College of Health and Human Services.
For further information about physical therapy, see the Physical Therapy listing in this section. See also the pre-physical therapy program listed under Biological Sciences in this section.
CHEM 121, 122, 123* Principles of Chemistry 12
English composition 5
MATH 163A, B Calculus 7
PSY 101 General Psychology 5
PSY 221 Statistics 4
PT 259A Intro to Phys. Therapy 2
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 5
BIOS 170, 171 Intro to Zoology 10
Arts and Sciences degree requirements, and/or electives.
PHYS 201, 202 Intro to Physics 10
PSY 226 Experimental Psychology 4
PSY 273 Child and Adolescent Psychology 4
PSY 312 Physiological Psychology 4
PSY 332 Abnormal Psychology 4
BIOS 302 Human Anatomy (soph) 6
BIOS 345, 346 Human Physiology and Lab (soph) 7
BIOS 352 Biomechanics 4
or PESS 302 Biomechanics (must be section for
pre-physical therapy majors) 4
BIOS 445, 446 Physiol. of Exercise, Lab 7
PHIL 101 Fund. of Philosophy 5
PHIL 130 Intro. to Ethics 4
or PHIL 331 Moral Problems in Medicine or 5
ENG 305J Technical Writing (jr) 4
or ENG 308J Adv. Composition (jr) 4
Tier II (A or T area) 4-5
Arts and Sciences degree requirements, and/or electives. BIOS 402, Human Neuroscience, is not required by Ohio University's School of Physical Therapy but may be required for admission to other programs.
PSY 374 Adulthood and Aging 4
one of:
PSY 201 Sensation and Perception 4 PSY 203 Learning 4 PSY 304 Human Learning 4 PSY 308 Human Judgment and Decision Making 4 PSY 327 Human Psychophysiol. 4
one of:
PSY 233 Psych. of Personality 4 PSY 351 Clinical and Counseling Psychology 4 PSY 380 Psych. of Health and Illness 4 PSY 430 Psychoactive Drugs 4
one of:
PSY 275 Educational Psychology 4 PSY 315 Behavior Genetics and Individual Differences 5 PSY 376 Psychological Disorders of Childhood 4
two of:
PSY 261 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 4
PSY 336 Social Psychology 4
PSY 337 Social Psych. of Justice 4
Tier III (sr) 4-5
Arts and Sciences degree requirements, major courses, General Education courses, and/or electives.
*The 120 chemistry sequence is usually sufficient for physical therapy programs. Other biomedical and allied health areas may require the 150 chemistry sequence. The regular psychology major does not require chemistry.
If you are completing the B.A. in psychology pre-physical therapy and plan to start college-level foreign language with a course beyond 111, you are advised to begin foreign language in your freshman year and to complete PSY 101, PSY 221, and/or SOC 101 in the sophomore year. If you are starting foreign language with 111, begin language courses no later than the junior year.
#PHYS 203 may be required for admission to certain graduate and professional schools of physical therapy.
To be considered for in absentia status, you must obtain written permission from the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. To obtain a degree in absentia, you must complete:
all Ohio University General Education Requirements, including Tier III all College of Arts and Sciences area distribution requirements and the language requirement
a minimum of 192 quarter hours, including the first year of the master's program in physical therapy and the following courses:
CHEM 121, 122, and 123 (or 151, 152, and 153); ENG 151, 152, or 153; MATH 163A and 163B; PHIL 101 and 130; BIOS 170, 171, 302, 345, 346, 352, 445, and 446; PHYS 201 and 202; PSY 101, 221, 226, 312, 273, and 332; two of PSY 275, 315, 374, 376, 378, 489*; one of PSY 233, 341, 351, 380, 430; one of PSY 304, 305, 307, 308; two of PSY 261, 310, 335, 336, 337, 361, 362; PT 259A; ANTH 101; SOC 101; ENG 305J or 308J.
*You may receive up to five hours of credit for volunteer work in a physical therapy setting. Volunteer hours are required for application to many physical therapy programs.
University Publications and Computer Services revised this file (https://www.ohio.edu/catalog/99-00/colleges/majors6.htm) on November 5, 1999.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "ucat@www.ohiou.edu."